Fourth Street Lofts Web Log

ARTISANS
Every Sunday as part of the Farmer's Market there are local artisans. I recently learned that the vendors are not always there every week, because there is a monthly lottery to determine who and when the artisans can be on site. So, the lesson is to buy what you like now because it might not be there next Sunday. Some also turn up on Saturday, but in much smaller numbers.

ELEVENTH ANNUAL MG EXHIBIT
For those who want to see the sports car which started it all in the United States back in 1948, come to Jack London Square Saturday 15 May 2004 for the eleventh annual MG Exhibition.

PARAMOUNT MOVIE CLASSICS
There are three movies left in the current round of Paramount Movie Classics. They run Friday nights, starting at 8pm at the restored historic Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland 94612 for only $5. Doors open an hour earlier, and at 7:30pm, early arrivals are serenaded with a half hour of live organ music by Jim Riggs at the Mighty Wurlitzer. The old time movie comes after a vintage cartoon, an old newsreel, often depicting something relating to Oakland or the Bay Area, trailers of coming attractions, and Dec-O-Win, where you can win local restaurant meals. With good weather, it makes a nice stroll.

May 14 - Viva Las Vegas with Elvis and Ann Margaret and race cars. 1964
June 11 - The Graduate with Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. 1967
December 26 - The Bad and the Beautiful with Kirk Douglas. 1952

ART EXHIBIT
Last Friday night the second Jack London Art Invitational opened with a Preview Party. The art, from local artists from our Jack London District, will be on display at 240 Third Street, around the corner from our building. The days/hours are Saturdays and Sundays 10am-5pm, and Tuesdays & Thursdays 2pm-8pm, as well as by appointment. Check out www.jacklondondistrict.org/art for details.

The exhibitors are ROSEMARY ALLEN, ANDY BLACK, MARY ANN HAYDEN, KATHLEEN KING, and CARIN REHBINDER. Already five of the pieces have been sold and two more have offers.

This is the second of what hopefully will be an ongoing series of exhibits. The exhibit was organized by JOANNA ADLER, who runs Jack London Mail. She spent a lot of time, energy, and money out of her own pocket to put this together. The upper management of Allegro is providing the space.

RECYCLING TONER AND INKJET CARTRIDGES
Joanna accepts used laser toner and inkjet cartridges for recycling at no charge. This is a much better solution than throwing it in the trash headed for landfill.

STAMP OUT HUNGER
Saturday 8 May 2004 the National Association of Letter Carriers/United States Postal Service has its annual Stamp Out Hunger campaign. Nonperishable Food Donations can be left in the mailroom, near the mail boxes, for pickup by the USPS, who will take it to the local food bank.

TRASH BASH V
The fifth Trash Bash will take place Sunday 23 May 2004, starting at 9am. Meet for assignments in front of the Egghouse at 229 Harrison, at Third Street. Bring gloves, and the rest will be provided.

This is a neighborhood project in which we clean up our neighborhood area, with trash bags and pickup provided by the City of Oakland. Afterwards there will be a BBQ, which is why organizers would like a RSVP by sending an email to trashbash@jacklondondistrict.org or calling 510/893-4100.

Something which has helped keep at least part of our neighborhood clean since last year's Bash are the containers for plastic bags, hanging on the fence along the 'Dog Walk' path by the empty lot. This helps pet owners be more responsible.

WHAT'S GOING ON ACROSS THE STREET?
For those who are curious about the goings on across the street, wonder no more. The Chinese market on the corner of Fourth and Alice Streets - S. Super King Food Wholesale, Inc. - has a Grand Opening sign, and is open for business. Really. There's not yet much for sale yet, as the remodeling is an ongoing project, a work in progress. But it is cleaner, lighter, and eventually, there will be dairy products and eggs. The owner with whom I spoke said it is a cash and carry and wholesale store, open seven days a week.

The Computer recycling center across the street at 426 Alice - West Oakland Technology Exchange - has relocated to 1680 14th Street. The phone numbers remain the same - 510/893-4822 and 835-0484. It provides Tech Support Tuesdays 3-6pm, accepts Donations Tuesdays 2-6pm, and the Volunteer hours are 2:30-4:30pm. It accepts computers and refurbishes them for educational institutions. Its website is www.otxwest.org. The email address is otxwest@yahoo.com.

The OTX building has a For Sale sign. The owner had planned to build a new big and tall building, but plans have changed. That proposed development could still happen, but the former owner is no longer part of the equation. Thursday surveyors were out doing what surveyors do. I was told that Poulty Homes bought the building. I don't know if that is the same firm which formerly was Del Web, which builds large developments.

Where there are surveyors, can the developers be far behind?

And speaking of developers, I'm told that the Moore Meat Market on Second Street, at Jackson, is due for demolition in August. Here we go again.

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
The SFBCDC (San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission) is holding a Third Pre-Application Review hearing on the Jack London Square Redevelopment Project. This concerns the $250 million redevelopment of Jack London Square.

The meeting is 6:30pm Monday 10 May 2004 in the BCDC Conference Room on the 26th Floor at 50 California Street in San Francisco. We are the only agenda item other than minutes approval.

This meeting will focus on review of the public shoreline open spaces, Water Street plazas, East Green, area adjacent to the proposed hotel, and the shoreline trail. This could be the final review of the Design Review Board before formal action by the Commission. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

ENERGY CONSERVATION
We can help keep our energy bills down by doing laundry and dish washing after 7pm. It's already fire season and this takes a big toll in many ways, including power.

Have a nice weekend!